I KNEW LUCA’S MOTHER HADN’T FORGOTTEN HER GRANDDAUGHTER’S BIRTHDAY.

The hospital waiting room was sterile and freezing.

I sat on a plastic chair, sipping terrible coffee, watching Sophie sleep curled up on the small sofa across from me. Daniel stood by the door, flanked by four armed guards, his face a mask of stone.

Rosa was in surgery. We had been waiting for three hours.

Luca hadn't called.

My mind kept racing back to the trunk of Victor’s SUV.

The child’s drawing.

Sophie had drawn it when she was seven. It was a picture of her, Luca, and a golden retriever they used to own. Luca kept it framed on his desk in the private study. A study that required a retinal scan to enter.

Victor had been exiled five years ago. He couldn't have taken it.

Vanessa was terrified of the study. She never went in there.

There was only one other person who had unrestricted access to that room.

I stood up, my coffee trembling in my hands.

I walked over to Daniel.

“Daniel,” I said quietly, making sure not to wake Sophie. “Who besides Luca and you has clearance for the private study?”

Daniel frowned, looking down at me.

“Nobody. Why?”

“Are you sure?” I pressed. “No cleaning staff? No family members?”

“Just me and the boss,” Daniel affirmed. “The cleaning staff is only allowed in when I’m supervising.”

I stared at him.

If only Daniel and Luca had access... and Luca obviously didn't give the drawing to Victor...

My blood ran cold.

Answer one: Victor didn't orchestrate the kidnapping from exile. He had a man on the inside feeding him information and access.

Open two: If Daniel was the traitor... why was he standing guard over Sophie right now?

I took a slow step backward.

Daniel noticed the change in my expression. His eyes narrowed slightly.

“What is it, Emma?” Daniel asked, taking a step toward me.

“Nothing,” I lied, my voice shaking. “I just... I need to use the restroom.”

I turned and walked quickly toward the hallway.

“Emma, wait,” Daniel said, his voice dropping the professional tone. It was suddenly cold and authoritative.

He reached out and grabbed my arm. His grip was painfully tight.

I gasped, trying to pull away.

“You saw it, didn't you?” Daniel whispered, leaning in close. “In the trunk.”

I stared at him in pure horror.

“You’ve been working for Victor the whole time,” I breathed.

Daniel didn't smile. He just looked tired.

“Victor promised me a seat at the table,” Daniel said softly. “Luca treats me like a glorified bodyguard. I’ve shed blood for this family for fifteen years, and he still treats me like the help.”

“He trusts you with his daughter’s life!” I hissed.

“And that was his mistake.”

Daniel pulled his weapon, keeping it hidden against his side, aiming the barrel directly at my stomach.

“Walk,” Daniel ordered, pushing me toward the exit doors.

“I’m not leaving her,” I said, digging my heels in.

“You walk, or I shoot you right here and tell the guards you tried to attack me,” Daniel threatened. “They work for me, not you.”

I looked at the four guards standing by the doorway. They were completely oblivious, watching the hallway.

I had no choice. I let Daniel push me through the heavy double doors into the empty hospital stairwell.

The moment the door clicked shut, Daniel shoved me against the concrete wall.

“You’re a smart girl, Emma,” Daniel sneered. “Too smart. Victor told me to tie up loose ends if things went south.”

He raised the gun, aiming it at my head.

“I’m sorry it has to be you.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

Suddenly, the stairwell door burst open.

A heavy, metal object flew through the air, striking Daniel squarely in the back of the head.

Daniel grunted, stumbling forward, dropping his gun.

I opened my eyes.

Standing in the doorway, breathing heavily, holding a bloody oxygen tank, was Rosa.

She was wearing a hospital gown, her side bandaged heavily, an IV line trailing behind her, ripped straight from her arm.

“Get away from her, you son of a bitch,” Rosa rasped, raising the heavy tank again.

Daniel scrambled for his dropped gun, but I didn't hesitate.

I kicked the gun down the stairs, hearing it clatter all the way to the landing below.

Daniel cursed, lunging toward me.

But before he could reach me, the door opened wider.

Two of Luca’s loyal enforcers—men who answered only to Luca, not Daniel—stepped into the stairwell, weapons drawn.

“Hands in the air, Daniel,” one of the enforcers ordered.

Daniel froze, realizing he was entirely trapped. He slowly raised his hands, defeat washing over his face.

I ran to Rosa, catching her as she collapsed against the doorframe, exhausted from the effort.

“Mrs. Moretti, you shouldn't be out of bed!” I cried, helping her sit down on the top step.

“I heard him,” Rosa wheezed, managing a weak smile. “I woke up... heard him talking to you in the hallway.”

She looked at Daniel with absolute disgust as the enforcers zip-tied his wrists.

“Take out the trash,” Rosa ordered them.

As they dragged Daniel away, Rosa looked up at me.

“Where is Luca?” she asked, panic returning to her eyes.

“He went after Victor,” I said.

Rosa closed her eyes.

“Victor is waiting for him, Emma,” Rosa whispered. “At the old warehouse by the river. That’s where the syndicate council meets in secret. Victor is going to present the papers to them tonight.”

She grabbed my hand, her grip surprisingly strong.

“You have to stop him. If Luca walks in there, Victor’s men will slaughter him before he even speaks.”

“I don't even know where the warehouse is!” I protested.

Rosa reached into her hospital gown pocket.

She pulled out a heavy, antique key.

“This unlocks the service elevator from the alleyway,” Rosa explained rapidly. “It takes you directly up to the council room floor. Bypasses all the guards on the ground.”

I stared at the key.

“Mrs. Moretti, I’m just a maid. I can't stop a mafia war.”

Rosa looked me dead in the eyes.

“You aren't a maid, Emma. You’re the woman who saved my granddaughter. You’re the woman who saved me.”

She pressed the key into my palm.